Motorists traveling along the Ayere-Kabba highway in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State were attacked by bandits on Sunday, resulting in the death of one person and the abduction of several passengers.
Eyewitness reports indicate that the ambush occurred around 5 p.m. when vehicles, including two buses with registration numbers MAN 399XA and MAN 425XA, a third bus, and two cars, were traveling from Lagos to Abuja. The total number of people abducted is yet to be confirmed.
One of the survivors, Kolawole Olawoye, who sustained gunshot wounds, recounted the terrifying experience. “Four of us, including a lady, sustained bullet wounds. We were traveling from Lagos to Abuja when we ran into the ambush at Ayere. The hoodlums opened fire, destroyed our car’s water tank, and forced us to run into the bush for cover,” Olawoye said. The injured were later taken to the General Hospital in Kabba, with victims identified as Urajo Babangida, Leonard Amuze, Mercy Avine, and Babangida.
A source confirmed that one person succumbed to injuries shortly after being admitted to the hospital. Local residents expressed grave concerns over the safety of those abducted, who were reportedly taken into the bush while injured.
The attack comes amid government claims that terror-related deaths in Nigeria have dropped by 81% since 2015, attributed to counter-insurgency operations and collaboration between security agencies and communities. According to the Presidency, over 13,000 terrorists have been neutralized, more than 124,000 fighters and dependents surrendered, and 2.1 million internally displaced persons have returned home under the Federal Government’s resettlement scheme.
Kogi State’s newly appointed Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, reaffirmed the police commitment to combating banditry, kidnapping, and armed robbery. “The police will prioritize security in synergy with sister agencies, stakeholders, and traditional rulers to ensure the safety of Kogi citizens,” he said.
The Department of State Security Services (DSS) had issued an intelligence warning of imminent attacks on Kogi and Ondo States in October, and recent weeks have seen a spike in banditry across Ijumu, Kabba/Bunu, Yagba West, and Yagba East local government areas. Incidents include the killing of an elderly woman on November 1, multiple abductions, and attacks on travelers along highways.
The Kogi State government, through the Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, assured residents that security measures have been reinforced, particularly around border communities. “Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has made the safety of lives and property a top priority. We will not allow criminals to disrupt the peace and progress we have built,” the statement read.
Security expert Capt. Ahmed (rtd) urged vigilance, emphasizing that the recent attacks indicate the seriousness of threats highlighted by the DSS. “Roads, communities, and farms are no longer safe. Everyone must be vigilant and support security operatives with timely information for immediate action,” he warned.
